Pubdate: Sat, 06 Dec 2008 Source: London Free Press (CN ON) Copyright: 2008 The London Free Press Contact: http://www.lfpress.com/cgi-bin/comments.cgi?c=letters_editor Website: http://www.lfpress.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/243 Author: Kathy Rumleski Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment) FIGHTING DEMONS, KEEPING HOPE Sonia Gwen Crane was addicted to alcohol and crack cocaine. She supported her habit through prostitution. Then she found out she had a baby on the way. From that desperate situation to her present life filled with love and faith, Crane's remarkable story is revealed in her new book, Rise Up My Beloved (Xulon Press, $14.99). The Londoner and First Nations author, who attempted to commit suicide on her 16th birthday, believes a miracle and her faith in God turned her life around. Crane, 34, wrote Rise Up My Beloved to give others hope and to also draw attention to the high suicide rates, particularly among young people, on First Nations reserves. "My past history of drugs, alcohol is so widespread among First Nations," she said. Crane has been sober and drug free for eight years and now is reaching out to others. Her dream is to open a drug rehabilitation centre. But getting to this point in her life and then putting it down on paper for all to see was difficult. "There were times I thought I would never finish (the book). It was determination. I've decided to share my life with no shame." But she was ashamed of herself and she was ashamed to be a First Nations member for a long time. "We're so oppressed and we believe in the lie that we can't get out of this," Crane said. In her book she writes: "Somewhere along the way I came to believe . . . that First Nations people were second-class citizens." Crane realized she had to parent her two children differently from the way she was raised. "There is no way I want to give them the life I endured." There is a particularly moving scene in the book when Crane describes watching her young son sleep. "Tears begin rolling down my cheeks, while shame, guilt and failure taunted . . . me. Dread filled my heart of what I was doing to my baby and it all felt worse because I was hung over." Her family's struggle started with her grandfather, who attended a residential school, and was hardened and bitter when he returned to the reserve. Crane's mother said she couldn't remember ever being held as a child. She subsequently became an alcoholic. These days, she is sober like her daughter and the two have a good relationship. Through her book, Crane is reaching out to First Nations people. Rise Up My Beloved is available on four reserves, including Oneida, and she will be travelling to Moose Factory soon to hand the book out there. She tells others fighting addictions or battling other demons not to give up hope. "It is the biggest, biggest thing. God will find you wherever you are." IN OTHER WORDS Where book is available Rise Up My Beloved, by Sonia Gwen Crane, published by Xulon Press: The First Nation author's account of how she overcame huge obstacles in her life. The book is available at the Upper Room and Creations bookstores in London or online at www.xulonpress.com or www.goddesigns.ca. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin